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| Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job' | Hillsborough inquests: David Duckenfield 'not best man for the job' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day". | The match commander at Hillsborough has told a jury he "was probably not the best man for the job on the day". |
| Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989. | Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield was in charge when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally crushed at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on 15 April 1989. |
| The new inquests also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the stadium before the disaster. | The new inquests also heard he had "no recent experience" of policing at the stadium before the disaster. |
| Mr Duckenfield, 70, said, in hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the match commander role. | Mr Duckenfield, 70, said, in hindsight, it was a "serious mistake" to take the match commander role. |
| 'Limited' experience | 'Limited' experience |
| When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience at Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard. | When the disaster happened, Mr Duckenfield had one season's experience at Hillsborough as a chief inspector, the jury heard. |
| Giving evidence for the first time at the new inquests, he said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" about taking duty as match commander. | Giving evidence for the first time at the new inquests, he said he had "no anxiety or hesitation" about taking duty as match commander. |
| He said although he was "delighted at the promotion" he later came to think he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day". | He said although he was "delighted at the promotion" he later came to think he "probably was not the best man for the job on the day". |
| Mr Duckenfield, dressed in a dark grey suit and purple tie, told the court: "With hindsight, I should have thought about my limited knowledge of the role of a commander in a major event, that was an all-ticket, sell-out, when I had not been responsible, or in that responsible position previously." | Mr Duckenfield, dressed in a dark grey suit and purple tie, told the court: "With hindsight, I should have thought about my limited knowledge of the role of a commander in a major event, that was an all-ticket, sell-out, when I had not been responsible, or in that responsible position previously." |
| But at the time he was confident he was able to do it, and was assured he had an experienced team around him, he added. | But at the time he was confident he was able to do it, and was assured he had an experienced team around him, he added. |
| "I did know what the job involved, but no-one, including me, knew what might evolve on the day and what difficulties we may face," he added. | "I did know what the job involved, but no-one, including me, knew what might evolve on the day and what difficulties we may face," he added. |
| Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor Brian Mole did not offer to help him in his new role, as has been claimed earlier in the inquests. | Mr Duckenfield told the jury he was adamant his predecessor Brian Mole did not offer to help him in his new role, as has been claimed earlier in the inquests. |
| He said he had expected an introductory meeting with Mr Mole after accepting the job, but was "disappointed" when this did not happen. | |
| He felt Mr Mole was "jealously guarding" his relationship with Sheffield Wednesday after leaving the match commander post, he said. | |
| Previously, the jury heard that about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it. | Previously, the jury heard that about 2,000 fans entered through an exit gate at the Leppings Lane end after Mr Duckenfield gave the order to open it. |
| Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium where the disaster unfolded. | Many of them ended up in the central terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium where the disaster unfolded. |
| He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual. | He confirmed to the jury he was familiar with the Green Guide - the government-issued sports ground safety manual. |
| Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan - but did not know the codeword used to initiate it. | Mr Duckenfield said he "had knowledge" of South Yorkshire Police's major incident plan - but did not know the codeword used to initiate it. |
| The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues. | The hearing, being held in Warrington, Cheshire, continues. |
| Who were the 96 victims? | Who were the 96 victims? |
| BBC News: Profiles of all those who died | BBC News: Profiles of all those who died |